Supreme Court affirms Muscogee (Creek) reservation status
Wendy Weitzel, Reporter
July 9, 2020
WASHINGTON -- The ground shifted in Oklahoma shortly after 9 a.m. on Thursday when the Supreme Court ruled the eastern half of the state is still comprised of Native American reservations. Suddenly, jurisdictional lines were rearranged: A member of an Oklahoma tribe can’t be tried in state court for...
Photojournalist documents Tulsans’ reactions to Trump rally
Wendy Weitzel, Reporter
June 23, 2020
TULSA -- C.J. Neal makes the two block walk from the newsroom to the businesses on Greenwood Avenue almost every day. On his way, he likes to read the names of nearly 160 Black-owned businesses, which a century earlier had been looted and burned to the ground by white mobs, from a mural on the red...
OPINION: Beware of the return to normalcy
Jessie Christopher Smith, Reporter
June 3, 2020
Something to consider in the wake of #BlackOutTuesday: I've noticed many people -- from celebrities and everyday citizens to journalists and federal employees -- sharing images of police officers kneeling with protesters, participating in marches with protesters, and taking selfies with protesters. While...
Oklahoma Rates 10 in Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Cases
March 23, 2020
WASHINGTON -- When Pam Smith found out her niece had been radio silent for hours, she started to worry. She called family, friends and finally local law enforcement in hopes of hearing good news, or any news at all. “Before my niece went missing, I knew that the missing and murdered indigenous...
Inhofe accused of selling stocks before Covid-19 panic
Brooklyn Wayland, KaraLee Langford, and Autumn Waggoner
March 21, 2020
WASHINGTON -- Oklahoma’s senior senator denied any knowledge or involvement in investment decisions that saw him selling over $400,000 in stock shortly before fears about the coronavirus pandemic exploded. “The New York Times allegations are completely baseless and 100 percent false...
Sen. Inhofe flies plane upside-down, announcing he is still fit for reelection
Karalee Langford and Brooklyn Wayland
March 5, 2020
Photo by KaraLee Langford Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) released a campaign video of him flying a plane upside down to announce his campaign for reelection in 2020 and prove he’s still not too old to be in Congress. “I’ll be announcing for office upside down and that’s to overcome the critici...
Tribal jurisdiction on Supreme Court docket again with McGirt v. Oklahoma
Brooklyn Wayland
February 26, 2020
Oral arguments in a case that could reshape tribal justice in eastern Oklahoma have been set to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21. The case, McGirt v. Oklahoma, argues under the Indian Major Crimes Act the state does not have the authority to prosecute convicted child rapist Jimcy M...
Week in Washington: Gaming compacts take center stage
February 14, 2020
Photo by Hogan Gore WASHINGTON -- Here’s a look at our stories in and around Washington this week: Tribe Officials Discuss Gaming Compacts at State of Indian Nations Gaming compacts in Oklahoma came up after Monday’s State of Indian Nations address, highlighting the ongoing conflict be...
U.S. House Committee Moves Bills on White Supremacy Symbols, Cybersecurity
February 14, 2020
A Confederate flag ripples in front of a sign during a rally on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Photo by Michael Duncan WASHINGTON -- The House Committee on Homeland Security sent a series of bills to the House floor seeking to combat multiple white supremacy demonstrations and costly cyberattacks over...
Horn Concerned about Reality of Oklahoma’s new Medicaid 2.0
Karalee Langford, Brooklyn Wayland, and Autumn Waggoner
February 14, 2020
Photo by Brooklyn Wayland WASHINGTON- Oklahoma is one of 14 states yet to adopt Medicaid expansion. Gov. Kevin Stitt has proposed a Medicaid block grant for Oklahoma, but U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn (D-Okla.) said Tuesday it would cost more and limit access. “It is heartbreaking to ha...
Warren supporters hopeful despite failure to revive campaign in New Hampshire
Brooklyn Wayland
February 13, 2020
Photo by Brooklyn Wayland MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Norman native Elizabeth Warren, hoping to revive her campaign for the Democratic nomination, sent staffers to South Carolina and Nevada as she spoke to supporters reminding them she “could go the distance” and could unite Democrats. Nevada vote...
Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District up for a competitive Republican primary
Brooklyn Wayland and Karalee Langford
February 7, 2020
Graph by Autumn Waggoner WASHINGTON-- Campaign reports indicate a competitive Republican primary contest is shaping up in Oklahoma's 5th congressional district while incumbent Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn keeps up an aggressive fundraising pace. One of the top Republican candidates for Oklahoma...
